Manila, Philippines – Web Desk: ASEAN foreign ministers formally opened their annual meeting in Manila on Tuesday, with the Philippines urging the bloc to “navigate our future together” as the region faces geopolitical uncertainty, maritime tensions, and persistent conflicts .
Call for Unity
Opening the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said the region must respond with “active, deliberate problem solving” to a world marked by “upheaval, uncertainty, and unpredictability.” She urged member states to pursue “creative solutions and viable pathways” .
Lazaro emphasized the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC)—which marks its 50th anniversary this year—as ASEAN’s “most reliable anchor,” stressing that mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes remain the foundation of regional stability .
Key Agenda
Discussions will focus on strengthening ASEAN centrality, advancing regional integration under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and enhancing cooperation with external partners . Regional security issues—including efforts to revive the stalled Myanmar peace initiative, negotiations with China on a South China Sea code of conduct, and the economic fallout from global conflicts—are expected to dominate discussions .
The meetings run through July 24 and include gatherings with dialogue partners, the ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum .
